community update Issue 8 – DECEMBER 2012
Message from the Mayor It is a privilege to have been re-elected to lead the Western Downs, the fifth fastest growing region in Australia, for another term. I am proud to be surrounded by a team of Councillors who are all dedicated to the advancement of our region. Some of my fellow Councillors have been serving you for many years and there are also some fresh faces who bring new insight and energy to the task (read their profiles inside). Floods, farms and fire… The year kicked off with flooding impacting Western parts of our region and Dalby playing host to evacuees from the flooded town of St George in February. The way the Western Downs community rallied to help another township was just a wonderful achievement. Our agricultural sector had a great start to the year, culminating in grass cover for graziers and an enormous cotton pick. However, as the Australian Year of the Farmer draws to a close, it’s disheartening to see that recent conditions have not offered the best finish for our winter crops. I personally wish all those on the land the very best as they move into summer. With dry conditions lingering, we are facing a huge fire danger. Again we rely so heavily on volunteers to help prepare and protect us from this threat of bush fire. I’d like to sincerely thank all those people across our region who dedicate themselves to volunteer roles – not just fire brigades, but all community groups.
Managing the resource boom It is very obvious as you move around our bustling region, that we are in the midst of a resource boom. It’s exciting to see the growth and opportunity this brings, but we are certainly feeling the pressure on our infrastructure, such as waste, water, housing and roads, and our social infrastructure. The number of people in construction camps alone is expected to jump from around 7,000 to 12,000 by mid-January. Balancing the challenges of serving the needs of the resource sector, whilst ensuring a sustainable future for our traditional ratepayers, has been a key factor in our budget and strategic planning. Delivering a responsible budget Council has worked hard to deliver a 2012-13 budget that we believe to be fair and equitable. This is a $312M budget which is substantially more than the budget we’ve delivered in previous years. Our budget is funded through rates increases – predominantly from the intensive industry sector, and sourcing of available funds through State and Federal Government grant schemes, industry partnerships and some borrowing. It represents responsible forward planning with some really exciting projects across all areas of our region. Community spirit I have been very proud to see our region’s produce, talent and community spirit showcased in cultural, arts and sporting events and festivals across the region – Beef Bells and Bottle Trees in Miles, Timbertown
in Jandowae, Yabbies in Moonie, Camels and Culture in Tara, Delicious and DeLIGHTful in Dalby, our agricultural shows and everything in between. Even ABC radio station Triple J shone a national spotlight on our region with the ‘One Night Stand’ concert in Dalby in June. It’s uncanny that this event was impacted by a serious rain event, but nevertheless wherever I go now people mention the hospitality of our local people at this event. Speaking of community spirit, it doesn’t get any better than our Australia Day events – held right across the Western Downs on 26 January. I’d urge you to nominate people who make a difference. It’s one day in the year that we get to acknowledge people who make our world a better place. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank each and every person who has made a contribution to the Western Downs this year – our WDRC team from our trainees to senior executives, local business owners and residents – you should all take a bow. I’d like to wish you all a safe and enjoyable festive season and a prosperous and energetic 2013.
Cr Ray Brown Mayor Western Downs Regional Council Cr Ray Brown
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